36 was the best year I've had in a while (ever?) as far as finding myself, feeling at peace about life and where I'm at, and just straight up looking forward to the future. There's definitely a few things that stick out from the past year that brought me to feeling this way, but I know I have so much to be grateful for and God has really just opened my eyes this past year and helped me to see all of that. He is so dang good, all the time!
And to clarify, I do still have my bad days, too. I think I've just had a mindset shift and try really hard to stay positive or, at least, get back to positive as quickly as I can when I am down. Because letting yourself stay down too long isn't doing anyone any good. Let's be honest, there are plenty of scary things going on in the world. It's important to be aware of them, especially as a parent, but dwelling on them does nothing. Try to make a change where you can, and give it to God when you can't.
Whenever I'm scrolling social media, I always screenshot various things I come across that I want to save for later - an outfit I like, a recipe, and any good quotes or Bible verses, or excerpts from books. Every now and then I'll go through my saved screenshots for inspiration of one of these things. Here are some (37 to be exact) quotes, Bible verses or book excerpts that I've saved over the past year. They're in the order of when they were screenshot. I remember many of them hitting me right at the very moment when I needed it the most. Hopefully that will be the case for some of you.
Random Words of Wisdom
1 Not everyone is going to like you. No matter what you do.
2 Forgive and forget. > Always forgive, but never forget. Still working on this one!
3 We can watch other people chase their dreams or we can get up and chase ours.
4 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
5 "...be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" James 1:19
6 Never take criticism from some you wouldn't go to for advice.
7 Along those same lines: You will never be criticized by someone doing more than you. Only those doing less.
8 The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a persons determination.
9 So often, we are paralyzed by the fear of missing God's will. We literally do not move because we are waiting for 10 confirmations. Here's the deal, most times you are going to have to step out in faith, to find out if it's God. God is big enough to redirect you if you're wrong.
10 It is never too soon to start praying for your kids' spouses.
11 Decide what kind of life you really want and then say "No" to everything that isn't that. If it's not a "Heck yes!" it's most definitely a "No."
12 Your competition isn't other people. Your competition is your procrastination, your ego, the unhealthy food you're consuming, the knowledge you neglect, the negative nature you're nurturing, and your lack of creativity. Compete against that!
13 Instead of "Let go and let God"... "Trust God and get going"
14 Comparison kills creativity. There is room for you. Nobody can do it with your voice, with your experience, with your insight.
15 Nothing honors God more than a big dream that is way beyond our ability to accomplish. Why? because there is no way we can take credit for it. And nothing is better for our spiritual development than a big dream because it keeps us on our knees in raw dependence on God.
16 It doesn't matter how old you are, or how old she is, treasure your mom. You'll never have another one.
17 You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you.
18 Sometimes God will place a Goliath in your life for you to find the David within you.
19 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
20 Our words are so powerful! With them, we have the ability to lift someone up or to bring someone down; to spread joy and compassion or gossip and negativity. We can be truthful and still be kind. We can be upset and still be respectful. Kindness is free and simple, but the impact can be absolutely life-changing.
21 Overthinking will destroy your happiness and your mood. It'll make everything worse than it actually is. Take a deep breath, exhale, and have faith.
22 Worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's troubles. It takes away today's peace.
23 Pray about it! "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3
24 Believe. Nothing is impossible with Jesus. Choose to believe in what you cannot see. He does not fail those who put their trust in Him. "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." Mark 9:23
25 Joseph waited 13 years. Abraham waited 25 years. Moses waited 40 years. Jesus waited 30 years. If God is making you wait, you're in good company.
26 On gaining self-confidence... "One of the ways I'm able to feel more confident in certain situations and stop worrying so much about what other people think is to stop thinking so much about myself in these certain situations. What I'm feeling, if I'm anxious, etc. Any time I remind myself to take the focus off what I'm feeling inside and put it on whoever I'm with and give them/ what I'm doing my full attention, it always helps. Also, just remember, people like the real you - the honest you, the awkward you, the unfiltered you."
27 Your life will change the moment you stop people pleasing, bending your boundaries, and hoping everyone will like you.
28 The dream was too big for me, but it wasn't too big for God. And what seemed to big then eventually seemed too small to contain what God was doing in us and through us. If you want to keep growing spiritually, you need to keep stretching. How? By going after dreams that are bigger than you are."
29 God is within her, she will not fall; Psalm 46:5
30 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11
31 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
32 "I believe we are what we consume (food, tv, news, etc) and who you hang around is who you become."
33 Forgive yourself first. Release the need to replay a negative situation over and over again in your mind. Do not become a hostage to your past by always reviewing and reliving your mistakes. Do not remind yourself of what should have, could have or would have been. Release it and let it go. Move on.
34 Even now, when things don't go her way, she trusts God like she already has what she prayed for.
35 The mouth should have three gatekeepers. Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
36 But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who take away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Luke 6:27-30
37 You insult God when you don't produce what He gives you.
